Raptors' Colangelo sheds GM title

May 21, 2013|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

Raptors' Colangelo sheds GM title

Bryan Colangelo still works for the Toronto Raptors, but is no longer the team's general manager.

The team announced Tuesday that they are keeping Colangelo as team president, and expect to name a new general manager within 30 days. A Yahoo! Sports report Monday said the Raptors are interested in hiring Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri.

"After thorough evaluation and considering all the options, we have concluded that these changes will be in the best interest of the organization," Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Tim Leiweke said in a statement. "By splitting the roles and having both men report directly to me, we are adding depth to the basketball operations group and giving the Toronto Raptors the best chance of competing for championships in the future. The new GM will inherit a great situation in Toronto, as all of my due diligence around the League indicates that we have a fine, young core and a few key moves will make us a playoff contender next season."

Colangelo has manned the basketball operations for seven years, but the Raptors have only made two playoff appearances during that span. They went 34-48 this season.

Ujiri, a former assistant general manager for the Raptors, took over as GM of the Nuggets in 2010, and helped assemble a Nuggets squad that won 57 games and got the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Raptors had interest in hiring Phil Jackson, but he reportedly rejected their offer.

Colangelo will help oversee business elements of the franchise.

"The future of this team and this organization excites me more than ever, and I am looking forward to being part of our future success," Colangelo said in a statement. "I will add whatever is necessary to help improve our basketball team while also expanding my efforts to increase brand awareness and influence growth of the game across this great country."